Have you ever pondered the concept of ownership and asked yourself, "What do I truly own?" The unequivocal answer is nothing—absolutely nothing.
The societal conditioning around ownership ingrains the idea that what we accumulate is ours to keep. Yet, the fundamental truth is that we arrive on this planet with nothing, and we depart with nothing. Even the house or land we may acquire is a temporary possession. The illusion of ownership is deeply embedded in our minds, leading us to believe that material possessions are truly ours.
Consider a house or a plot of land. Despite paying off a mortgage or inheriting such assets, true ownership eludes us. The inevitable reality is that we cannot carry these possessions into the afterlife. In essence, paying off a house is akin to paying rent, with the only difference being the temporary title we hold. And we have to pay for the title.
Similarly, when we purchase a car, we are essentially paying for convenient access to personalised transport. Ownership, in this context, is fleeting. Marriage and parenthood, while offering companionship and fulfilling a natural progression, doesn't confer ownership. Governments guide the upbringing of our children, emphasising the external influence on even the most personal aspects of life.
Money, often perceived as a symbol of ownership, is subject to societal and financial systems. Even a pension, received in one's twilight years, isn't truly owned but controlled by external forces. Material possessions acquired through wealth are impermanent and won't accompany us beyond our earthly existence.
Food, a daily necessity, is bought and consumed, but true ownership remains elusive. Just like our bodies—temporary vessels—will ultimately return to the Earth, another reminder that we own nothing on borrowed time.
Life itself is on loan, and the clock starts ticking from the moment of birth. In this transient existence, worrying about losing possessions becomes inconsequential. The only imperative is to stay true to oneself, relish the moments, and embrace the journey.
A poignant reference comes from Annette Noontil's book, "The Body is the Barometer of the Soul II," where she opted not to place a copyright, recognising that in the grand scheme, nobody owns anything. In this contemplation, perhaps the only semblance of ownership lies in the acknowledgment that we are souls—a connection that transcends the ephemeral nature of earthly possessions. In this realisation, the soul, in its eternal essence, becomes the true owner—forever one with itself.
Love, Light and Blessings.